FINED FOR ASSAULT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3645, 22 January 1924, Page 10

FINED FOR ASSAULT.

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE DISMISSED. AUCKLAND, January 14. At the Police Court to-day, James Les was charged with manslaughter, arising from the death of James White on Saturday evening, following a blow in Wellesley street west. The inquest on the deceased was resumed at the same time. Mr Poynton, S.M., sitting as coroner, found that death was due to the rupture of an artery at the base of the skull. This might have been caused either by excitement during the quarrel or by the fall after the blow which was delivered by Lee. under provocation, and not with the intention of causing grevious bodily harm. In his capacity as magistrate, Mr Poynton dismissed the charge of manslaughter, but convicted Lee of assault, fining him £2. January 16. The 'recapture of two of the prisoners who escaped from Mount Eden Gaol was effected by the police to-day after a long chase of an auxiliary boat by a motor launch. At 2 a.m. the stealthy movement of a sailing craft off Parnell aronsed suspicions, ana the police set off in pursuit. The fugitives could not start the engine, and had to rely on the sails. When in Tiri Channel about 9 o’clock they endeavoured to evade their, pursuers by tacking, but the firing of a rifle shot across their bows caused their surrender.